2012 BMW G650GS Sertao Owners

EFI, Single Cylinder, and Proven Reliability were the big deciding factors for me. I'd say Styling also factored in as BMWs are some of nicest looking bikes. (my KLR was affectionately referred to as 'the pig' on many occasions)

Obviously the fact that BMW Motorrad sales are strong shows that consumers are willing to pay more for an incremental step up in refinement/features. The same emotion explains why people buy 911s when you can get similar performance from a Corvette half the price. If price was my #1 criteria i would have purchased a KLR hands down.

I've owned a KLR650 and KLX250s, so I'm looking forward to getting in the saddle and testing out the Sertao, including muddy single track.

...thanks for beginning impressions guys! I'm not a brand loyal nut so that's not an issue for me (well..., I am Subaru loyal )

I do find an appeal in switchable ABS, fuel injection (so as not having to fiddle with jetting for different altitudes), and the stronger, more hwy. friendly engine the Sertao offers. I would probably pull off the BMW emblems just so I wouldn't get tagged for the snob factor (by some :huh). It's chain drive, rotax (type) engine, conventional suspension so it's not really a "traditional" BMW but again, it's not a brand deal with me. I've really been oriented towards the 800's (BMW, Triumph) as the 1200's are a bit behemouth for my interests and journeys but, having ridden some great Backcountry stuff in the PNW, the 650 is a great way to go for weight and manueverability.

The KLR works and is reliable but the motor isn't the most stellar out on the open road, or chugging up steep terrain, being stuck in first. Regearing for the more technical stuff leaves it winding out at 70+ mph. I do know the perfect bike is not out there and we have to modify them to our needs/interests. The Sertao just has caught my attn. and I have little doubt that it would be preferable (to me) over the KLR out on the open road,and extended travels, but I'm just wondering about the off road stuff??? (flimsy rims, awkward gearing gaps, too tall first gear??)

The Sertao just has caught my attn. and I have little doubt that it would be preferable (to me) over the KLR out on the open road,and extended travels, but I'm just wondering about the off road stuff??? (flimsy rims, awkward gearing gaps, too tall first gear??)

I'll follow others impressions for a bit..., respectfully so

Click to expand...

The Sertao might be a better DP tourer but it isn't going to be anymore offroad worthy out of the box than the KLR for the reasons you've mentioned, plus the mediocre suspension and weight. It will do ok as is for decent forestry roads but the guys doing more more hardcore offroad add Yamaha USD forks at minimum, change rims, shed weight off the bikes. Poke around the Dakar thread to get an idea. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=441434

I like the looks of the new version but not the smaller gas tank 3.7 gal now 4.5 then.

Click to expand...

This might be my biggest disappointment. The low fuel light comes on at 175 miles (@70 MPH). That is gives you 1 gallon left. I picked up a Kolpin Fuel Pack Junior for my long hauls. Not sure where I am going to mount it yet. I still have to mount my top case.

I'm not sure how you picked the winner on some of these. For instance, seat height. One person might think a lower seat height would be better than a taller one, but you chose the taller one as the winner. Or carburation vs. fuel injection. or compresion ratio, there are others that i think you blindly chose bmw over the other bike. There are also many factors you didn't put on the list such as dealer locations, price, the ease that you can work on each one. And how is overall height better to be taller, but overall lengh its better to be shorter?

Slider162, really like your bike, the farkles you have added really add to your bike. Is the front fender the one for the 650GS and do you have to remove the wheel to get it on the bike. I would like to put one on my 01 Dakar, what year fender did you order for your bike.
John

This might be my biggest disappointment. The low fuel light comes on at 175 miles (@70 MPH). That is gives you 1 gallon left. I picked up a Kolpin Fuel Pack Junior for my long hauls. Not sure where I am going to mount it yet. I still have to mount my top case.

Click to expand...

Slider..

I took my Sertao out for a long ride (300miles) I got about 155 miles or so before the reserve kicked on but I was going a tad faster at 75-80 . I pushed about maybe 35 more miles before filling up again, didn't want to chance it since I was in the back roads when the reserve came on. I come from a bike that had a small tank to begin with and was carburated so I still feel I'm getting a bit more from the Beemer. I could live with the fuel consumption for now but will look into a roto pax for longer rides in the future.

I did take it on a nice short jeep trail with alot of rocks and it did pretty well. I still have to raise the handlebars and do something about that seat (ouch):huh. I put a call in to Renzanco for a work around but it will have to wait til September.

My bike looks alot like yours, I'll take some pic's tomorrow so we can compare...

Slider162, really like your bike, the farkles you have added really add to your bike. Is the front fender the one for the 650GS and do you have to remove the wheel to get it on the bike. I would like to put one on my 01 Dakar, what year fender did you order for your bike.
John

I took my Sertao out for a long ride (300miles) I got about 155 miles or so before the reserve kicked on but I was going a tad faster at 75-80 . I pushed about maybe 35 more miles before filling up again, didn't want to chance it since I was in the back roads when the reserve came on. I come from a bike that had a small tank to begin with and was carburated so I still feel I'm getting a bit more from the Beemer. I could live with the fuel consumption for now but will look into a roto pax for longer rides in the future.

I did take it on a nice short jeep trail with alot of rocks and it did pretty well. I still have to raise the handlebars and do something about that seat (ouch):huh. I put a call in to Renzanco for a work around but it will have to wait til September.

My bike looks alot like yours, I'll take some pic's tomorrow so we can compare...

Alskee750

Click to expand...

I have been pushing the reserve to see how far I can go. So far I have gone 40 miles with a 1/2 gallon still remaining when I filled up. First oil change was today at 1250 miles. It took them 4 hours to do an oil change and the tires. They cut me a deal because I had to wait so long. It was $185. I'm not sure what a standard oil change is. The mechanic complained because he had to take the skid plate off. He also messed with it for another 20 minutes after the test drive. I asked if there was something wrong and he said no. He was just double checking something. I guess they don't get too many Dakars/Sertaos in there.